RURAL ALASKA HONORS INSTITUTE SEEKS STUDENTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2001
Fairbanks, Alaska – The 19th annual Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI) is seeking rural high school juniors and seniors to participate in its six-week summer academic enrichment and college preparatory program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
RAHI is a village-to-campus bridging program to prepare students for college success by increasing their academic skills. Participating students not only get a heavy dose of full-credit university course work but also learn to be comfortable in the campus environment. A curriculum of eight to ten university credits emphasizing writing and study skills is complimented by electives in mathematics, chemistry, and Alaska Native studies, or computer science with additional choices in Alaska Native dance, swimming and a practical computer course.
Students have an opportunity to live in a campus residence hall with full-time tutor-counselors who provide academic and emotional support. Students quickly get to know each other and develop a supportive network. RAHI reinforces sharing of different Alaska Native cultures typically represented in the summer program.
The deadline for applications is March 31, 2001. Application packets have been mailed to all rural school sites, or can be obtained from RAHI, by calling 1-800-478-6886 or 907-474-6886 or by email at: fyrahi@uaf.edu.
Many RAHI alumni are now enrolled throughout the UA system or employed in Alaska's professional workforce as teachers, anthropologists, engineers, nurses, a medical micro-biologist, social workers, college administrators, fisheries specialists, tribal administrators and environmental planners, among others, as well as some who are in law school and medical school.
"RAHI definitely has helped many students prepare for college success and for careers beyond," says program director Jim Kowalsky. "Now we are looking for qualified honors students to apply for the summer 2001 program."
The following are just a few of the many RAHI success stories:
U.S. Army Captain Wayne Don from Mekoryuk, is scheduled to be the RAHI Graduation speaker this year, Don, who also has seen action in the Balkans, attended RAHI in 1989. Graduating with a criminal justice degree from UAF, he will return to the university in July where he will begin his appointment as assistant professor of military science.
John Henry of Stebbins, RAHI's 1989 valedictorian, has earned an electrical engineering degree at UAF and is employed by Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. in Fairbanks.
Gail Alstrom of St. Marys attended RAHI in 1988. Alstrom graduated from Stanford with a degree in psychology and returned home to serve as director for Cenaliulriit Coastal Resource Service Area (CRSA) which is part of the statewide Alaska Coastal Management Program and is also serving on several boards such as the Alaska Inter-Tribal Council.
Angela (Yatlin) Gonzalez grew up in Bettles and attended RAHI in 1991, earning a degree from the University of Tulsa, she is employed in an Alaska's Native-owned broadcast media corporation as membership director at KNBA in Anchorage.
Sam Chanar of Toksook Bay attended RAHI in 1985 and graduated from UAF with a degree in rural development and works as the tribal administrator. He has also worked the last eight summers for RAHI, helping to run its residence program.
More than 100 program alumni are currently enrolled at the UAF campus, including freshman Joe Thomas of Fort Yukon, who attended the program in 2000. He hopes to major in natural resource management.
- 30 -
CONTACT: RAHI Director, Jim Kowalsky at 907-474-6886 or email: fnjek@uaf.edu or check out the RAHI web page at: http://www.uaf.edu/rahi, also available to discuss the RAHI program are:
- Wayne Don at 270-798-6267(days) or 270-640-9369(evenings)
- John Henry Gail Alstrom at 907-438-2638(w)
- Angela Gonzales at 907-258-8923(w)
- Sam Chan at 907-427-7114 or 7615(w)
CJB/02-02-01/01-046
Public Service Announcement
START DATE: Feb. 2, 2001
STOP DATE: Mar. 31, 2001
SUBJECT: RURAL ALASKA HONORS INSTITUTE SEEKS STUDENTS
DATE: Now through Mar. 31, 2001
LOCATION: University of Alaska Fairbanks
DETAILS:
The Rural Alaska Honors Institute is looking for a few good students for this year's six-week academic enrichment and college prep program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
RAHI students from villages around the state earn 8 to 10 college credits while gaining valuable writing and study skills. Classes are offered in Alaska Native Studies, mathematics, chemistry or computer science.
Full-time tutor-counselors provide academic and emotional support for students living in campus residence halls.
The program's open to juniors and seniors, but don't wait to apply–the deadline for applications is March 31st.
Application packets have been mailed to all rural school sites, or can be obtained from RAHI at 1-800-478-6886.
-30-
CONTACT: Jim Kowalsky, RAHI Director at 907-474-6886.
CJB/02-02-01/01-046psa